Articulated, spring-controlled intake poppet valve

ABSTRACT

An articulated, spring-controlled intake poppet valve for use in the intake port of a four-stroke cycle, reciprocating internal combustion engine, the poppet valve including a valve head and a separate valve actuating stem pivotally interconnected to each other, the valve head being normally held closed by a coiled spring located inside the intake port with one end of the spring secured to the valve head and the other end thereof to the cylinder head.

United States Patent 11 1 1111 3,875,921

Deboy et a1. [45] A 8, 1975 [54] ARTICULATED, SPRING-CONTROLLED1,542,617 6/1925 Guy et a1 123/81 B INTAKE popp VALVE 2,622,574 12/1952Butterworth 123/9024 3,299,869 l/l967 Sicklesteel 123/188 S X [75]Inventors 3igj$$ FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS Stoughton, Rochester of1,105,147 11/1955 FIHIICE 251/298 1,236,581 6/1960 France 251/303 1Assignee= General Motors po a on, 17,756 12/1900 United Kingdom 251/298Detroit, Mich. [221 Filed: Oct 23, 1973 Primary Examiner-Charles .1.Myhre Assistant Examiner-W. Rutledge, Jr. 1 1 PP NW 4081844 Attorney,Agent, or Firm-Arthur N. Krein 52 us. c1.. 123/188 AP; 123/188 R;123/188 sc; 1571 ABSTRACT 251/303 An articulated, spring-controlledintake poppet valve [51] Int. Cl. F011 3/10; F011 3/20 for use in theintake port of a four-stroke cycle, recip- [581 Field of Search 123/188R, 188 VA, 188 S, rocating internal combustion engine, the poppet valve123/188 AF, 188 SB, 188 SC, 188 AP, including a valve head and aseparate valve actuating 90.28, 90,29, 90,3, 81 13; 251/298, 303 stempivotally interconnected to each other, the valve head being normallyheld closed by a coiled spring 10- [56] References Cited cated insidethe intake port with one end of the spring UNITED STATES PATENTS securedto the valve head and the other end thereof to 1.397.585 11/1921 James123/9027 x the cylmder head 1,419,988 6/1922 Rohrer 251/303 X 6 Claims,2 Drawing Figures ARTICULATED, SPRING-CONTROLLED INTAKE POPPET VALVEThis invention relates to valves for reciprocating internal combustionengines and, in particular, to an articulated, spring-controlled intakepoppet valve struc ture to be used in the intake port of an internalcombustion engine.

Intake or induction valves for internal combustion engines are normallyof the poppet valve type in which the valve has an annular head adaptedto seat against a valve seat in the cylinder head of the engine tocontrol the flow of induction fluid from the intake manifold through aninlet port, defined in part by the valve seat, to the cylinder of theengine during the induction cycle for that cylinder of the engine and,an integral stem extending from the head of the valve concentrictherewith, this stem being reciprocally journalled in the cylinder headof the engine with one end of the stem extending from the cylinder headfor engagement by suitable means, such as a rocker arm or cam. to effectreciprocating movement of the valve head in a direction in line with thecommon axis of the stem and head of such a valve. The head of the poppetvalve is provided with an annular seating portion adapted to seatagainst an annular bevelled valve seat provided in the inlet or intakeport in the cylinder head.

In such a conventional poppet valve, when the head is unseated from thevalve seat, a uniform annular flow area is provided between the valvehead and the inlet port for the flow of induction fluid into thecylinder or combustion chamber of the engine. With such an arrangement,induction fluid flow is substantially uniform around the head of thevalve and, accordingly, depending on the location of the inlet portrelative to the longitudinal axis of the cylinder, there is little or noswirling motion of the induction fluid entering the cylinder around thelongitudinal axis of the cylinder.

Because of this, various means have been used in the prior art topromote swirl of the induction fluid on entry into the combustionchamber, such as by the use of a shrouded valve or a swirl port. Forexample, by providing the outer surface of the valve guide in the inletport with suitable shaped ribs or vanes, induction fluid entering thecylinder from this port is given a direction of flow which, in general,is in the desired direction of induction fluid flow rotation around theaxis of the cylinder. However, it has been found that whether a shroudedvalve or a swirl port is used to introduce swirl, the use of such aswirl inducing device will effect a reduction in the volumetricefficiency of the engine. Furthermore, the use of either a shroudedvalve or a swirl port is not readily adaptable for use in a splitmanifold type engine.

Accordingly, the principal object of this invention is to provide apoppet valve structure whereby the head of the poppet valve can be movedaxially and pivoted relative to an annular valve seat in a direction tomore advantageously direct the flow of induction fluid into thecombustion chamber of an internal combustion engine and result in fluidmotions advantageous to combustion.

Another object of this invention is to provide an intake valve structurefor use in the intake port of an internal combustion engine which, uponactuation, can effect strong combustion chamber swirl generation ofinduction fluid.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a poppet valveand intake port structure having an improved intake valve-port flowcoefficient.

These and other objects of the invention are attained 5 by anarticulated, spring-controlled intake poppet valve and intake portstructure in which a valve head and valve stem are separate piecespivotally interconnected together whereby the valve head can pivotrelative to the longitudinal axis of the stem. The valve head is heldclosed relative to an annular valve seat forming a part of the inletport in the cylinder head of an engine by means of a coiled spring whichis located inside the intake port and has one end attached to thecylinder head and the other end attached to the valve head, the springfunctioning to maintain contact between the valve head and stem duringactuation of the poppet valve and helps to determine the valve headtrajectory during stem movement.

For a better understanding of the invention, as well as other objectsand further features thereof, reference is had to the following detaileddescription of the invention to be read in connection with theaccompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a portion of an internal combustion enginehaving an articulated, springcontrolled intake poppet valve inaccordance with the invention, positioned to control the flow ofinduction fluid into the combustion chamber of the engine, the valvebeing shown in its open position; and,

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a portion of the structure of FIG. 1showing the subject intake poppet valve in its closed position.

Referring now to the drawings, there is illustrated a portion of aninternal combustion engine having an engine cylinder block with acylinder bore 12 therein reciprocally receiving a piston 14 to define acombustion chamber, the cylinder bore being partly closed at one end bya cylinder head 16 suitably secured to the cylinder block. The cylinderhead 16 is provided with an induction passage 18 terminating at anintake or inlet port 20. Inlet port 20 presents an annular valve seat 22which, as is well known, is chamfered or bevelled at a suitable angle tothe axis of the inlet port, as desired, on the side of the cylinder headadjacent to cylinder block 10. Induction passage 18, as is well known,is curved in its longitudinal direction at least closely adjacent to theinlet port thereof to change the direction of induction fluid flowtherethrough so that fluid flow is directed downward toward thecombustion chamber. As shown, the induction passage 18 is thus providedwith an outside bend 18a and an inside bend 18b.

In the embodiment disclosed, the inlet port 20 adjacent to the valveseat 22 is formed by a stepped bore inclined at an angle to the axis ofthe valve seat 22 portion of the inlet port, to be, in effect, acontinuation of induction passage 18. This stepped bore provides anannular groove 24 in the cylinder head, for a purpose to be described,at the junction of the induction passage 18 with inlet port 20.

Flow through the inlet port 20 into the combustion chamber is regulatedby an articulated, springcontrolled intake poppet valve, generallydesignated 30, having a valve head 32 in the form of a disc formed as abody of revolution about an axis 34 with a valve face 36 on one sidethereof, which in the embodiment illustrated is flat, and a valve back38 on its other side.

The valve head is provided on its valve back 38 side with a ballreceiving socket portion 40, for a purpose to be described. The outerperipheral rim of the valve head 32 is provided with an annular bevelledseating portion 42 adapted to seat against the valve seat 22 in thecylinder head 16, the axis of the valve head 32 when seated. as seen inFIG. 2, being coaxial with the axis of the valve seat 22 portion of theinlet port 20.

The valve head 32 is normally biased to its seated position with respectto the valve seat 22, the position shown in FIG. 2, by a coiled tensionspring 50, positioned in the intake port and suitably fixed at one end,as by weld 52, to the valve back 38 of the valve head and having itsother end suitably fixed at its other end to the cylinder head. In theembodiment shown, this is accomplished by providing the spring 50 withan enlarged spring coil 50a, encircling the main body portion of thespring which is engaged in the annular groove 24 provided for thispurpose in the cylinder head. It is to be realized, however, that othersuitable means may be used to retain the opposite end of the valvespring 50 from valve head 32 in the intake port in the cylinder head l6.

The poppet valve 30 also includes a suitable actuator for the valve head32 which, in the embodiment illustrated, is a valve stem 60 formed as aseparate element from the valve head 32 but pivotally interconnectedtherewith in a manner to be described. As shown, the stem 60, ofcylindrical rod configuration, is provided at one end, its bottom end asseen in the drawing, with suitable means for pivotal interconnection orabutment with the valve head 32, this means for pivotal interconnectionwith the valve head 32, in the embodiment shown, being in the form of aball shaped tip 62 formed complementary to the ball receiving socket 40of the valve head so as to be socketably mated therewith. Thecylindrical rod portion of the stem 60 is reciprocally journalled in asuitable stem guide, such as bore 64 in the cylinder head 16, with theopposite end of the stem extending outward from the cylinder head foractuation in one direction axially, by means of, for example, a suitablerocker arm or cam, not shown, engaging the free end of this stem. Axialmovement of the stem 60 in the opposite direction is effected in anormal manner by a return spring, not shown, which would conventionallyabut at one end against the top of the cylinder head 16 and at its otherend against a valve spring retainer cap, not shown, fixed to the valvestem in a conventional manner. A collar 66, which may be formed integralwith the stem 60 or as a separate element suitably fixed theretointermediate the ends thereof, is provided on the valve stem 60 to abutagainst a shoulder 68 of the cylinder block provided in the inductionpassage 18 adjacent to and at right angle to the bore 64 to act as astop for the valve stem 60 to limit its axial movement in one direction,upward as seen in the figures, as moved by the return spring, not shown.Also, as shown, the lower end of the valve stem is loosely encircled bythe coiled spring 50.

In operation, the valve head 32 is held closed, in the position shown inFIG. 2, by the coiled spring 50 which has one end attached to the valvehead 32 and its other end attached to the cylinder head within theintake port 20, the conventional return spring, not shown, merely movingthe valve stem to the position shown in FIG. 2, to permit the spring 50to close the valve head.

When the valve stem isactuated, that is, moved axially to the positionshown in FIG. 1, engagement of the ball 62 in the socket 40 of the valvehead will move the valve head downward against the biasing action of thespring 50 to effect unseating of this valve head relative to the valveseat 22 of the inlet port, the valve head moving to the position shownin FIG. 1. Because of the tension force of spring 50, the valve head,fixed to one end of this spring, will move downward relative to thevalve seat and will pivot relative to the ball 62 of the valve stem in acounterclockwise direction, with reference to the figures, to theposition shown in FIG. 1, so that when the head 32 is in its openposition relative to the valve seat of the inlet port 20, an increasedsized flow area will be provided on one side of the valve-port, on theleft-hand side as seen in FIG. 1, while a reduced flow area will beprovided on the opposite side of the valve-port, the right-hand side asseen in this figure.

The valve spring 50, during opening movement of the valve head 32,functions to maintain contact between the valve head 32 and the stemand, depending on the characteristics of the spring used, helps todetermine the valve head trajectory during stem movement in a valveopening direction. It is to be realized that in addition to the springdesign characteristics, the valve stem angle, the location of thepivotal contact area between the valve head 32 relative to the axis ofthe valve head and the stem 60 and the shape of the pivotal connectionbetween valve head and valve stem will also effect the valve headtrajectory in an opening direction. Thus, by appropriate selection ofthe location of opening force application relative to spring retainingforce application, it is possible to magnify the motion of the valvehead to provide an increased flow area for a prescribed valve stem lift.

With the valve head 32 opened to the position shown in FIG. 1, toprovide more flow area on one side of the valve head relative to theinlet port than on the other side, substantially more induction fluidwill flow through the larger flow area, with its relatively low flowcoefficient, than through the reduced flow area into the combustionchamber. These unbalanced flow paths on opposite sides of the valve headwill cause the induction fluid entering the combustion chamber throughthese flow areas to mix together within the combustion chamber to effectwhirling flow of induction fluid throughout the combustion chamber.

It is apparent from the above description of the subject articulated,spring-controlled intake poppet valve that when this valve is used inthe intake port of a reciprocating internal combustion engine, it willpermit the generation of strong combustion chamber swirling motion ofinduction fluid, it will reduce extraneous and undesired superimposedfluid motion in the combustion chamber, it will provide an improvedintake valveport flow coefficient and, it will provide for increasedvalve motion without increasing valve-train loading.

Although the subject valve structure has been illustrated and describedas an intake valve, it is to be realized that this valve structure couldbe used, if desired, as a discharge valve.

What is claimed is:

1. A valve controlled induction system for an internal combustion engineincluding a cylinder head having an induction passage thereinterminating at an annular bevelled valve seat defining an inlet port toa combustion chamber on the combustion side of the cylinder head, athrough stem guide bore in said cylinder head said induction passage, avalve stem reciprocally ;ournalled in said stem guide bore with one endof said valve stem extending from said cylinder head and its other endpositioned, when said valve stem is in its fully :xtended position,closely adjacent to said valve seat, an induction valve head pivotallyabutting said other end of said valve stem. a coiled tension springencircling said valve stem with one end of said coiled spring secured tosaid cylinder head within said inlet port and its opposite end securedto said valve head. said valve spring normally biasing said valve headinto seating engagement with said valve seat and functioning to maintaincontact between the valve head and said valve stem.

2. A valve controlled induction system for an internal combustion engineaccording to claim I wherein said valve head is in the form of a body ofrevolution about an axis with a valve face on one side and a valve backon the opposite side, said valve back including a ball receiving socketportion, the outer periphery of said valve head being provided with abevelled seating portion complementary to said valve seat and, whereinsaid valve stem includes at said other end thereof a ballshaped portionsocketably received in said ball receiving socket.

3. A valve controlled induction system for an internal combustion engineaccording to claim 2 wherein said valve stem further includes a collarintermediate the ends thereof adapted to abut against said cylinder headto limit axial movement of said valve stem in one direction.

4. An articulated, spring-controlled poppet valve for use in the intakeport in the cylinder head of an engine, said poppet valve including avalve head and a separate valve stem adapted to pivotably abut one sideof said valve head, and a coiled spring secured at one end to said oneside of said valve head and adapted to be positioned in the intake portencircling said valve stem and to have its other end fixed to thecylinder head within the intake port.

5. an articulated, spring-controlled poppet valve according to claim 4wherein said valve head is in the form of a body of revolution about anaxis to provide an outer peripheral surface with a bevelled seatingportion thereon and having a valve face on one side and a valve back onthe opposite side, said valve back including a ball receiving socketportion and, wherein said valve stem includes at one end thereof aball-shaped portion socketably receivable in said ball receiving socketportion.

6. An articulated, spring-controlled poppet valve according to claim 5,wherein said valve stem further includes a fixed annular collarextending radially outward from the main body portion of said valve steminterme diate the ends thereof.

1. A valve controlled induction system for an internal combustion engine including a cylinder head having an induction passage therein terminating at an annular bevelled valve seat defining an inlet port to a combustion chamber on the combustion side of the cylinder head, a through stem guide bore in said cylinder head to said induction passage, a valve stem reciprocally journalled in said stem guide bore with one end of said valve stem extending from said cylinder head and its other end positioned, when said valve stem is in its fully extended position, closely adjacent to said valve seat, an induction valve head pivotally abutting said other end of said valve stem, a coiled tension spring encircling said valve stem with one end of said coiled spring secured to said cylinder head within said inlet port and its opposite end secured to said valve head, said valve spring normally biasing said valve head into seating engagement with said valve seat and functioning to maintain contact between the valve head and said valve stem.
 2. A valve controlled induction system for an internal combustion engine according to claim 1 wherein said valve head is in the form of a body of revolution about an axis with a valve face on one side and a valve back on the opposite side, said valve back including a ball receiving socket portion, the outer periphery of said valve head being provided with a bevelled seating portion complementary to said valve seat and, wherein said valve stem includes at said other end thereof a ball-shaped portion socketably received in said ball receiving socket.
 3. A valve controlled induction system for an internal combustion engine according to claim 2 wherein said valve stem further includes a collar intermediate the ends thereof adapted to abut against said cylinder head to limit axial movement of said valve stem in one direction.
 4. An articulated, spring-controlled poppet valve for use in the intake port in the cylinder head of an engine, said poppet valve including a valve head and a separate valve stem adapted to pivotably abut one side of said valve head, and a coiled spring secured at one end to said one side of said valve head and adapted to be positioned in the intake port encircling said valve stem and to have its other end fixed to the cylinder head within the intake port.
 5. an articulated, spring-controlled poppet valve according to claim 4 wherein said valve head is in the form of a body of revolution about an axis to provide an outer peripheral surface with a bevelled seating portion thereon and having a valve face on one side and a valve back on the opposite side, said valve back including a ball receiving socket portion and, wherein said valve stem includes at one end thereof a ball-shaped portion socketably receivable in said ball receiving socket portion.
 6. An articulated, spring-controlled poppet valve according to claim 5, wherein said valve stem further includes a fixed annular collar extending radially outward from the main body portion of said valve stem intermediate the ends thereof. 